Bruce Becker of Lawrence takes advantage of one of the nap pods recently installed by JetBlue in Terminal 5 at Kennedy Airport. Air travelers can use them for free on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.)

JetBlue offers free ‘nap pods’ at Kennedy for weary travelers

JetBlue has unveiled a handful of the futuristic-looking recliners at its Kennedy Airport terminal — inviting passengers to snooze for free.

The blue-and-white pods come complete with a large visor that pulls down for privacy, built-in speakers providing soothing rhythms — even a timer that gently wakes users so flights aren’t missed.

News of the pods’ arrival prompted joyous tweets from travelers.

“Feel like napping already,” one person declared.

The pods were installed last week in the concourse at Terminal 5: two at Gate 27, two at Gate 17, and two in the Long Island City-based airline’s crew member lounge.

The pods are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and aren’t time-limited, a JetBlue spokeswoman said.

Travelers can climb in and set a 20-minute timer that will rouse them with a combination of lights, music and vibrations. As they settle in for a nap, passengers can safely stow their things in an internal storage bin, the airline said.

The EnergyPods, made by Edgewood-based MetroNaps, retail for nearly $13,000. They’re the first to serve travelers at a New York metro area airport, and JetBlue says it is the first U.S. airline to offer the sleep stations to travelers.

The chair is specially designed for healthy slumber, elevating the user’s legs to take pressure off the cardiac system and creating a slight bend at the knees to “relax the muscles of the lower back,” according to the company’s website.

The pods will be sanitized through daily cleanings, JetBlue said.

Global Gateway Alliance, a travelers’ advocacy group based in Manhattan, called the investment a step forward for metro area airports.

“NYC airports rank last in the world for amenities, so we applaud JetBlue for leading the way in finally offering a 21st Century passenger experience,” Alliance chairman Joe Sitt said in a statement.

Similar pods and other places for passengers to snooze, including short-stay suites, are available for a fee at many major airports around the world, the Alliance said.

JetBlue said it has a one-year contract for its pods and will decide whether to expand the service based on customer feedback.

Some travelers, however, say the pods ignore the real problem.

“Don’t make waiting more comfortable. Eliminate waiting!” one man tweeted.